Domestic Abuse and Cultural Difference

Domestic abuse can happen in any culture or community. Cultural difference can however have an impact on the types of abusive behaviour which are committed. Sometimes abusive behaviour is justified by cultural or religious values. There are no legitimate reasons for abusive behaviour. Below are some examples of commonly practised forms of violence that are frequently committed in the name of so called "honour", religious practice or cultural values.

Call our Confidential Helpline on 020 8317 8273.

"There are no legitimate justifications for abusive or violent behavior."

Honour Based Violence

Honour based violence (HBV) is a form of domestic abuse which is often enforced within a family or community. Women are commonly targeted by honour- based violence for breaking social conventions. This could include being in a relationship that is not approved of, rejecting a forced marriage, becoming pregnant outside of marriage, or wearing clothes the family do not approve of. Men can also experience honour -based violence particularly if they identify as gay. Trans* men and women, gender non conforming individuals and members of the LGBTQ+ community in general are also particularly at risk.Honour based violence is against the law in the U.K. There are no justifications for acts of violence or abuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing HBV please feel free to contact our confidential advice line on 020 8317 8273 or for more specialist services click here.

Forced Marriage

Forced marriage involves individuals pressuring or intimidating a person into a marriage they have not consented to. Sometimes these marriages are arranged overseas by family members in secret. In the UK you cannot be forced into marriage, It is against the law even if the marriage takes place overseas.

It is not acceptable for anyone to use physical violence, emotional pressure or any other means of intimidation to make you marry someone without your free and full consent. You should be free to choose who you spend your life with. If you feel under pressure to marry somebody you do not want to, you can call our confidential phone line on 020 8317 8273. You can also click here to find specialist services that will be able to support you

Female Genital Mutilation

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), or female circumcision as it sometimes called, is a forced procedure where genitals are cut. Often the purpose is to damage or remove the labia and/or clitoris. This practice is believed in some communities to safeguard chastity and fidelity. However, it is widely recognised as an act of abuse, designed to restrict women’s sexuality and cause them significant physical and emotional trauma. FGM can lead to a wide range of medical complications which in some cases, can be life- threatening. FGM also causes devastating emotional distress which can lead to the development of ongoing mental health concerns.

In the UK it is against the law to perform FGM or assist a girl to carry it out on herself. It is also against the law to arrange for FGM to be carried out on a girl overseas.

If you feel you or someone you know is at risk of FGM or you have experienced it and are looking for some support, you can call our confidential referral line on 020 8317 8273. You can also click hereto find more specific services that will be able to help you.

Breast Ironing

Breast ironing, sometimes called breast flattening, involves the beating of young girls developing breasts in order to stunt, reverse or prevent their development. It is common for the painful procedure which can take weeks or months to be completed, to be performed using hot instruments such as spatulas, hammers or stones. Breast ironing has primarily been documented within African communities and is particularly prevalent in eastern Nigeria and Cameroon, although it occurs in many other communities as well. Breast ironing is carried out because it is believed that the development of breasts may invite sexually predatory behaviour from men.

The reality is that the only person responsible for an act of sexual violence is the perpetrator. The widely held belief that women must shoulder some responsibility is incredibly damaging and wrong. Young girl’s bodies should be allowed to develop naturally. Any intervention of this kind is an act of abuse. If you or someone you know has experienced or is at risk of experiencing this procedure please feel free to contact our advice line on 020 8317 8273. You can also click here to find for more specialist support services.

"The reality is that the only person responsible for an act of sexual abuse is the perpetrator. The widely held belief that women must shoulder some responsibility for the violence committed against them is incredibly damaging and wrong."

Forced Marriage / Honour Network Helpline

Karma Nirvana is a registered charity which operates nationally, supporting victims and survivors of forced marriages and honour-based violence

Internet Explorer

When InPrivate Browsing is turned on, you will see this indicator in the address bar

InPrivate Browsing helps prevent Internet Explorer from storing data about your browsing session.
This includes cookies, temporary Internet files, history, and other data. Toolbars and extensions are disabled by default

Browsers store some info—like your search history—to help improve your experience on the web.
When you use InPrivate Browsing, info like passwords, search history, and page history is deleted once you close the tab.

To open an InPrivate Browsing session, right–select the Internet Explorer icon on the taskbar, and select Start InPrivate Browsing.
Or if you have already opened Internet Explorer select the Settings icon to the extreme right side of the address bar.
Doing so will present a list of options, one of which reads Safety. Selecting this option presents another set of options, one of which is InPrivate Browsing.
Clicking this option will open a new window allowing private browsing, and which can be closed with a single click.

Firefox

As you browse the web, Firefox remembers lots of information for you - like the sites you've visited. There may be times, however,
when you don't want people with access to your computer to see this information.
Private Browsing allows you to browse the Internet without saving any information about which sites and pages you’ve visited.

There are two ways to open a new Private Window.

Open a new, blank Private Window
Click the menu button and then click "New Private Window".

Open a link in a new Private Window
Right-click on any link and choose "Open Link in New Private Window" from the context menu.

Safari

When you use Private Browsing windows, Safari doesn’t save your browsing history, and it asks websites you visit not to track you.

To use Private Browsing: Choose File > New Private Window, or switch to a Safari window that’s already using Private Browsing. A window that’s using Private Browsing has a dark Smart Search field with white text.

Chrome

If you don’t want Google Chrome to save a record of what you visit and download, you can browse the web privately in Incognito mode.

The method for starting Incognito may very depening on the PC you are using. The default method in Chrome is to click on the 3 dots to the extreme right side of the address bar. Doing so will present a list of options, one of which is New Incognito Window.
Clicking this option will open a new window allowing private browsing, and which can be closed with a single click.

How Incognito mode worksIncognito mode opens a new window where you can browse the Internet in private without Chrome saving the sites you visit. You can switch between an Incognito window and any regular Chrome browsing windows you have open. You'll only be in Incognito mode when you're using the Incognito window.

Others can see some information
Incognito mode only prevents Chrome from saving your site visit activity. It won't stop other sources from seeing what sites you’ve visited, including:

Your Internet service provider

Your employer (if you're using a work computer)

The websites you visit themselves

Downloads are saved to your computer
Chrome won’t save a record of the files you download in Incognito mode. However, the downloaded files will be saved to your computer’s Downloads folder, even after you close your Incognito tabs. You and anyone who uses your computer can see and open the files.

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